I have been taking courses at De Schrijn since early 1999. Started off with the basics, progressed to making small objects such as trays, chest to hold my pens, picture frames, etcetera. In 2000 I decided I wanted to make my own desk. Had I known what was actually involved I might have reconsidered. With hindsight I am very glad I didn't know, because I deeply enjoy every time I look at my desk.
I often feel that the back of my desk is even better looking than the front.
When I started my desk, I wasn't yet allowed to use the "heavy equipment" by myself. Earlier this year I took the course that teaches how to use these dangerous machines in a safe and controlled manner. Since then I have been let loose in the machine shop. Where Michel did the wood dressing for my desk, I now do all the work for my new project: a cabinet to go with my desk. You can see this part of this project on the "A Friday Passion" page. It was finished just before the summer holidays (2002) and it triggered a whole host of activities. It started with the wish to just rearrange the furniture in my office. It ended with a complete refurbishment.
Boy, do I feel rich when I am sat at my desk next to my cabinet. No computer or printer in sight: they are all stored in the new cabinet. No files or folders either. They have been banned to the landing and will only make it back into the office when I have finished my new project: a cabinet to store folders and archive boxes with all my papers, old projects and other such oddities I can't (or won't) abandon.